Steering-gear.



W. A.'BESSERDIGH.

STEERING GEAR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1913.

1,094,297. Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

WILLIAM A. B ESSERDICH, CLINTQNVILLE, WISGONSIDT.

STEERING-ems.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed my 29, 1913. Serial No. 770,773.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAMA, Bnssnn- DICH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clintonville, in the county of Wallpaca and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain I newv and useful Improvements in Steering-Gears; and I do hereby, declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable-others skilled in the art to which it appertains tov make and use the same.

This invention relates to improved steering gears especially adapted for automobiles, but not necessarily limited to such use.

An object of the invention is the provision of a steering gear of simple and inexpensive construction, and having means for positively preventing accidental shifting of the steering adjustment ordinarily caused by the steering wheel striking obstructions in the road. p

In the accompanying drawing wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of my inven-- tion, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the steering gear and hub. Fig. 2 repre- 'sents a vertical sectional view therethrough,

and, Fig. 3 represents a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail,.wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throu bout the several 7 views, '1 indicates a ho ow casing having gear is-to be formed at the opposite endsthereof, hollow' heads 2 substantially spherical in shape and communicating with the hollow casing 1, whereby the. device is adaptable for 'a front driving axle in the3casethat the steeringapplied upon a four wheel drive vehicle." The hollowhead 2 is inclosed by the socket portion 3 preferablyformedintegral with the skein member 4, having the hub protecting flange 5 thereon.

At the top and bottom of the socket 3 are formed apertured bosses 6 which rotatably receive the vertically disposed trunnions 7 of the head 2. At the inner open end of the socket 3 is formed an annular flange or. enlargement 3 which 1S adapted to contact the surface of the head 2 and exclude dust from the joint or knuckle formed by the head and socket.

The socket 3 is preferably formed in two parts whereby the gear may be conveniently assembled,and for securing the parts of-the socket together, suitable flanges 8 are formed devices.

thereon to receive bolts 9 or other securing Patented Apr. 21, 191.4.

Friction reducing devices 10 are disposed between the trunnions? and the apertured bosses 6, and are adjustably held in opera-' tive position by the adjustin screws 11 threaded within the apertured iossesfi and securely held in adjusted position by'the lock nuts 12.

The lower apertured boss 6 isprovided.

with an inwardlyextending'arm 13 having a slot 14 therein for receiving the shank 15, l

of the worm segment 16. The arm 13 and v shank 15 arejadjustably secured together by means of boltsf17. A two-part housing 18 incloses the 'parts'13 and '16 and is of the proper shape andlsi'ze to permit the latter to oscillate freely. The end 'of thehofising 18 adjacent the worm segment '16 is. ro-.

vided with openings for receiving the s aft 19 which may be connected exteriorly of the housing 18 by suitable connections with the steering wheel ofthe vehicle. Within the housing 18 the shaft 19 is provided with a worm 20 which meshes with the worm-segment 16 and is adapted to actuate the latter to adjust the socket 3 together with the skein member 4,- as will be\ understood. A pre ferred fOIIIt'Of hub 21 is mounted over the skein member 4 and is spaced therefrom by suitable friction'reducing devices 22.

' What Iclaim is 1'. A steering gear comprising a casing.

having. a hollow head, at the ends thereof and vertically alined trunnions on said heads, a two-part socket rotatable on said trunnionsand having a skein member integralwith one of the parts thereof, an arm carried by said socket, a worm segment secured to said arm, a worm meshing with said worm. segment, and a housing inclosing said worm and said worm segment.

72. A steering gear comprising a casing having hollow heads at the ends thereof and vertically alined trunnions on said heads, a

two-part socket rotatable on-said trunnions and having. a skeinmember integral with one of the parts thereof, an arm carried by said socket, a worm segment adjustably secured to said arm, a worm meshin with said worm segment, and a housing inc osing said worm and said worm segment.

3. A steering gear comprising :a casing having a hollow head at the end thereof and vertically alined trunnions 'on saidhead, a

two art socket rotatable on said trunnions and swing a skein member integral wlth name to this-specification inthe presence of one of the parts thereof, an arm carried by two subscribing witnesses. 1 said socket, an adjustable Worm segment se- WILLIAM A. BESSERDICH. 5 cured to said arm, a two part housing, and Witnesses:

a Worm rotatable in said housing and mesh- LE'vI G. LARSON, mgwlth sald Worm segment. MAX OLIEG.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 

